Maria’s Wedding

    (Oni, 2003)

Those of us who have either been raised in or married into a large family already know the following two truths: 1) Being part of a large family is wonderful. 2) Being part of a large family is terrible.

It’s a bittersweet paradox that is both joyfully and painfully captured by DeFilippis and Weir. Their vehicle for this portrayal is the Pirelli family, a family who typifies many of those in real life, complete with volatile chemistries and ideological grudges. With their lines drawn in the sand and their hackles raised, all sides of the family converge for the wedding of Maria Pirelli.

Of course, as in real life, Maria’s wedding doesn’t stay the center of attention for long. At the reception, it merely becomes a catalyst for the latest round of family squabbles. If anything, the focus is on her cousin Frankie, long and unjustly reputed as the family troublemaker, and the assemblage’s fear of his next words or actions.

But, amid all the political sniping and grousing, there are other ties forged, bonds strengthened, and misunderstandings righted. It’s not always a simple or pretty journey to repair family rifts, but the reward is unparalleled. The attendees of Maria’s wedding will remember it as the day when (fill in the blank), but readers will remember Maria’s Wedding as a remarkably frank but warm look at family relations.

— Jim Johnson
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July, 2003
Cover Price: $10.95
1 copy available for $3.50 		Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina WeirJose Garibaldi